This position is in the Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education (OPACE), Freedom of Information Act Staff (FOIAS) within the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Director's primary mission is to develop and manage processes to ensure that appropriate, timely, and consistent action is taken with respect to public disclosure of information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA).

Duties

Plans, evaluates, and implements FSIS FOIA/PA program and policies. Manages a system for ensuring responses to FOIA/PA requests are complete, consistent, and timely. Monitors incoming FOIA/PAs to identify issues of importance to FSIS and to ensure coordinated responses. Develops, implements, and manages processes that ensure accurate implementation of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) throughout FSIS. Writes and/or edits information on FOIA programs, policies, functions, and research. Prepares probing and innovative analyses explaining complex issues with a broad impact. Directs the development of written products characterized by substantial breadth and depth. Participates with the OPACE Assistant Administrator and Deputy Assistant Administrator in developing systems for controlling and locating FOIA/PA requests and reports relating to FSIS FOIA/PA activities. Provides indirect technical guidance over those in other offices throughout FSIS who are engaged in record searches for the office. Plans work and determines approaches; makes assignments; oversees execution; established deadlines; provides administrative and technical guidance. Makes recommendations on major issues such as organizational goals, challenges to organizational design, or the overhaul of conventional practices to meet new challenges. Ensures the compliance, analysis, and assessments are adhered to according to the PA and related privacy laws and policies by providing oversight of FSIS privacy practices. Directs/oversees the development of long-range strategic goals, policies and procedures, records retention schedule, and transfer of records, etc. Evaluates and analyzes requests and communicates FSIS positions to officials representing law firms, labor union officials, media, industry organizations, and privately held companies. Assesses and enhances program and policy efficiency and effectiveness and makes, coordinates and/or recommends improvements.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Must pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
• False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
• If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-14 grade level for consideration for the GS-15 grade level.). The specialized experience for this position includes: Managing a team and directing process analysis and evaluations to plan, evaluate, and implement policies. Experience applying, writing and/or editing regulations, statutes, and laws to ensure compliance. Ability to quickly evaluate and analyze requests and communicate an organization's positions to officials representing law firms, labor union officials, media, industry organizations, and privately held companies. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no educational substitution for specialized experience for this position.

Contacts

• Address Food Safety and Inspection Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Michelle Miller
• Phone: 612-852-7611
• Email: [email protected]